Posted By Bev Hi Ani, You are on the first step of the ladder by landing a health and safety job - well done! In this business, experience goes a long way so you have made a good start. The NEBOSH General Cert is usually a minimum requirement for any position. Have a look at your local college websites as local colleges are a lot cheaper than specialist training companies. I did my NEBOSH cert at a local college for £500 (plus the exam fee). I came away with a distinction, so I don't think you need worry that the standard is lower just because it's cheaper! Training companies typically charge £2000 to £3000 for the same course. Also, have you considered IOSH Environmental Management, as you are interested in this area? This is a week long course, so if you couldn't get your current employer to pay for it, and you could rustle up the money, at least it would be feasible to do in a week's holiday. Could you get your current company to put you through the general cert? Argue that it would make you more effective in your current job! Hope this helps and best of luck!

Posted By David J Jones Ani, Agree with Bev about age, I'm fifty-something (oh all right then - 56), took my General Cert last year, self funded through a local college at just under £600, passed and start a new job on Monday which is H & S based and which required General Cert as a minimum. I hope to look at an environmetal qualification next, as well as probably going down the VQ4 route in H & S. You're never too old to learn, and age (maturity) does seem to have a positive effect when dealing with recaltricant managers who begrudge every penny spent on something too many of them see as "not adding value" to the company. Good luck in your future studies and career path. Regards David

Posted By Bev Continuing from my earlier posting, I agree that ageism is rife. However, it does depend on the type of industry you are going into. If the company is full of young graduates, they are more likely to want a young graduate and anyone over about 28 probably won't get a look in (regardless of what type of work you're looking for). I'm just going from personal experience and that of fellow health and safety practitioners that I personally know. I'm always sorry when I read the many threads where people are trying desperately to get into the profession and my admiration goes out to those who have the stamina to persevere. With any job, I think people have preconceptions about the sort of person they are looking for, and a large part of whether or not you fit the bill must be dependant on luck. Having said that, in many jobs you are considered "over the hill" once you've hit 40 - but I really don't think health and safety is like that. I know of a lady who sent out countless CVs and job applications and didn't even get an interview (she was 58 at the time). She then changed her approach and left her date of birth off her CV. Instead she sent a photo with her CV, it was a true likeness of her and it was a recent photo. About three applications later she got an interview and a job. When they eventually found out how old she was, they admitted to her that they wouldn't have interviewed her had they known! Just an indication of what some people's preconceptions are! Hopefully not all employers are the same!